If Your Child Is Not College Material

In this shortened clip from the “Tips for Selecting a Post-Secondary Options” Webinar, James Kling discusses several viable options for students with special needs after high school.

Slides notes:

▪Be focused -Keep your eye on the end game. The goal is to get the skills that will help obtain a secure, well paying job.

▪Be practical -Stay away from “toilet paper” degrees -If they are not planning to move past a bachelor’s degree, make sure the degree is in a major that has practical application.

▪Be realistic -Video game design isn’t a viable option (typically) – Learning coding is very helpful, but it is unlikely that they will end up writing video games scenarios.

▪Be wise -Focus on degrees with license or certificates (i.e. nursing, dental assistant/hygienist, ultrasound/ophthalmic technician, etc.) – These jobs provide flexibility and well paying in demand jobs.  They can create options for government positions.

▪Be proactive -Check job openings, career projections before selecting an option.

Considerations for the Trades

▪Automotive repair – Requires constant schooling, due to computer interfaces.  Not for students that will not enjoy ongoing schooling

▪Plumbing – Limited changes in field, may be good for those who are not interested in continuous learning.

▪Welding – Good for solitary people with creativity.  Can pay quite well.

▪Painting – Requires patience and structure. Possibly good for those that need routine and structure.

▪Carpentry, Electrician, Sheet Metal, etc. – Immediate results and the reward of income.

▪Construction worker, warehouse, landscape – Often seasonal work – Often hard manual work, which can be good for people who need to get out energy.

▪Retail, fast food, etc. – Requires people interaction.  If social interactions are difficult, this may not be a good fit.

▪Crane operator, heavy equipment, etc. – Requires licensure, but can pay six-figure incomes.

Jr. College Pros and Cons

Pros

▪Good to save money and typically close to home

▪Take care of prerequisites – focus on interesting course work at university

▪Certificate programs and licensure i.e. nurse, truck driver, etc.

Cons

▪Typically water downed courses leave students in for academic shock at university

▪Can’t spread their wings, living at home, no break for them or family, stay in potential rut, etc.